What are the Impacts of the Government Shutdown for Eastern Connecticut?
Because Congress has not passed funding bills for certain federal departments and independent agencies, the government entered a partial shutdown at midnight on January 31st, 2025. Federal departments and independent agencies that Congress has not passed appropriations bills to fund beyond January 30th, 2025 will operate in a diminished capacity during the partial shutdown. It is expected that Congress will end the partial shutdown within a matter of days. I will continue to demand concrete reforms in law before supporting a further year of funding for DHS.
Federal Departments NOT impacted by the shutdown:
- Department of Agriculture
- Including SNAP and WIC programs
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Department of Interior
- Department of Energy
- Department of Justice
- Department of Commerce
Federal Departments impacted by the shutdown:
- Department of State
- Department of Treasury
- Department of Defense
- Department of Education
- Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of Homeland Security
- Department of Transportation
- Department of Labor
During the government shutdown, my office remains open to support you and your family. We’ve compiled answers to frequently asked questions to help you better understand the impacts to federal services. With further questions, please call my Norwich office at (860) 886-0139.
Will I continue to receive my Social Security and SSI checks?
Yes, recipients will continue to receive their Social Security and SSI checks. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will provide limited services like issuing Social Security cards and holding appointments for benefit applications. However, SSA will stop services like benefit verifications and processing overpayments. Customer service wait times will dramatically increase.
Will Medicare and Medicaid benefits be affected?
Current Medicare, Medicaid, and disability insurance beneficiaries will continue to receive their benefits as long as the shutdown lasts less than three months.
What happens to veterans’ services?
The Department of Veterans Affairs is not impacted by the government shutdown.
Will my mail arrive?
Yes, the U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a shutdown.
Which federal employees keep working during a government shutdown?
During a government shutdown, impacted federal agencies are required to classify their employees whose salaries have lapsed as either “excepted” or “not excepted”. The employees classified as “excepted” work without pay during the shutdown. The employees classified as “not excepted” are put on unpaid furlough. In 2019, Congress enacted a new statute, the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, that mandates any delayed pay checks must be paid in full to the employee after the government reopens.
What is the impact on U.S. military personnel and federal law enforcement?
All active-duty and Guard and Reservists on active-duty orders are excepted and therefore required to work without pay. Inpatient, medical treatment at DOD facilities and acute and emergency outpatient care at DOD facilities are excepted. Non-acute outpatient care is not excepted. Private sector care under TRICARE will not be affected. On-base child care will be open on a case-by-case basis. Federal law enforcement will also be required to work without pay for the duration of the shutdown. The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, which was passed by Congress to mandate any delayed pay checks must be paid in full after the government reopens, applies to military personnel, civilian DoD employees, and federal law enforcement.
Will military and federal retiree benefits be suspended?
No, military and federal retirees will continue to receive their retirement benefits. Processing new applications or other requested changes will be delayed. Certification of eligibility for healthcare benefits will be excepted.
How will this impact food assistance?
Federal food assistance programs are not impacted by the government shutdown.
How will this affect small businesses?
The Small Business Administration (SBA) will stop processing new business loans, such as through the 7(a) and 504 programs. However, SBA’s Disaster Loan Program will continue regular operations.
Will air travel be affected?
Air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents will remain on the job without pay. If some do not report to work, as has happened in prior shutdowns, there will be significant delays and longer wait times across the country.
What would this mean for disaster relief efforts?
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff will still respond to emergencies, but all long-term projects will be delayed due to a lack of funding in the Disaster Relief Fund.
What is the impact on housing?
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will stop insuring some new mortgages and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will stop processing some new loans. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) will stop new loan and loan guarantee activity. The VA will continue to guarantee home loans. Funding for federal housing assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, may be jeopardized in a prolonged shutdown. The National Flood Insurance Program (FEMA) will be unable to issue new policies.
What is the impact on food safety activities?
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety activities – such as routine inspection of facilities – will be delayed across the country.
Will I still be able to visit National Parks and monuments?
National Parks and monuments are not impacted by the shutdown.
How does this affect passports and help for Americans overseas?
Consular services, passport services, and visa services are expected to continue in the immediate aftermath of a government shutdown. In a prolonged shutdown, passport and visa issuance could be slowed. Access to passport agencies located in some government buildings may be limited.
What will the impact be on state and local services?
A federal government shutdown will not immediately affect any state or local services. However, with federal funding cut off, some state or local governments may have to change their operations. Check with state and local agencies for specific questions.
What would this mean for medical research?
The National Institute of Health (NIH) will be forced to delay new clinical trials. New patients who are waiting for a chance at new treatment through a clinical trial will be turned away.
How will this affect environmental protection and cleanup?
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is not impacted by the shutdown.